Average power rating of opponents played: NY GIANTS 20.2, SAN DIEGO 18.2

SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

NY GIANTS - Season Results

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Team Stats

Opp Stats

Date

Opponent

Score

SU

Line

ATS

Tot.

O/U

Rushing

Passing

TO

Rushing

Passing

TO

10/10/2013

@ CHICAGO

21-27

L

9.5

W

46.5

O

26-123

14-26-232

3

29-110

24-36-262

0

10/21/2013

MINNESOTA

23-7

W

-4

W

47.5

U

32-64

23-39-193

1

14-30

20-53-176

3

10/27/2013

@ PHILADELPHIA

15-7

W

5.5

W

49.5

U

31-88

25-39-237

1

19-48

23-35-152

3

11/10/2013

OAKLAND

24-20

W

-7

L

41

O

38-133

12-22-118

3

25-107

11-26-106

2

11/17/2013

GREEN BAY

27-13

W

-3

W

40.5

U

24-78

25-35-256

1

20-55

24-34-339

3

11/24/2013

DALLAS

21-24

L

-2.5

L

44.5

O

30-202

16-30-154

1

20-107

23-38-220

1

12/1/2013

@ WASHINGTON

24-17

W

0

W

45.5

U

23-80

22-28-206

1

31-139

24-32-184

1

12/8/2013

@ SAN DIEGO

12/15/2013

SEATTLE

12/22/2013

@ DETROIT

12/29/2013

WASHINGTON

SAN DIEGO - Season Results

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Team Stats

Opp Stats

Date

Opponent

Score

SU

Line

ATS

Tot.

O/U

Rushing

Passing

TO

Rushing

Passing

TO

10/14/2013

INDIANAPOLIS

19-9

W

0

W

50.5

U

37-147

22-33-227

0

17-74

18-30-193

1

10/20/2013

@ JACKSONVILLE

24-6

W

-7

W

44

U

40-158

22-26-276

0

17-78

23-36-275

1

11/3/2013

@ WASHINGTON

24-30

L

2

L

49

O

16-69

29-46-341

2

40-209

23-32-291

1

11/10/2013

DENVER

20-28

L

7

L

56

U

35-131

19-29-198

0

22-84

25-36-313

1

11/17/2013

@ MIAMI

16-20

L

-3

L

44.5

U

26-154

22-34-281

1

19-104

22-35-239

1

11/24/2013

@ KANSAS CITY

41-38

W

3

W

43

O

27-104

27-39-387

0

18-114

26-38-281

2

12/1/2013

CINCINNATI

10-17

L

2.5

L

48.5

U

24-91

23-37-243

3

38-164

14-23-190

2

12/8/2013

NY GIANTS

12/12/2013

@ DENVER

12/22/2013

OAKLAND

12/29/2013

KANSAS CITY

KEY GAME INFORMATION

NY GIANTS: The Giants have moved toward a zone-blocking scheme more and more in past years, and it appears they're ready to make a wholesale change this year. Second-year RB David Wilson fits best in a one-cut system, as does tandem back Andre Brown. Wilson figures to see the bulk of the early down snaps. But he's still a work in progress as far as blitz pick-up goes, so he'll head to the sideline in most passing situations. Andre Brown will take third downs and will likely end up taking short-yardage duties.
Eli Manning has pretty much taken over this offense, adjusting plays at the line like his brother (minus the theatrics). They'll continue to run a lot of three-receiver sets, and Manning's at his best working off play-action. Hakeem Nicks, presumably healthy again, works primarily on the outside as a big-play threat. But Manning's favorite targets have traditionally worked out of the slot, which will be Victor Cruz's spot in three-wide looks. Manning will also use TE Brandon Myers as his main check-down option, as the backs usually stay in to protect. Third receiver Reuben Randle will play outside as a field-stretching option. The Giants stayed relatively run-based in the red zone last year, and Brown figures to take a good amount of the reps down there this year.
Although the Giants allowed the second-most yards in the NFL, they also forced 35 turnovers (3rd in NFL) with FS Stevie Brown getting six interceptions. The defensive line is too talented with DEs Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck to record just 33 sacks again (22nd in NFL), and a better pass rush will certainly help their beleaguered secondary, which expects CB Prince Amukamara, 24, to dominate. The defense added seven new defenders this offseason, but DT Cullen Jenkins is the only projected starter of this bunch.

SAN DIEGO: New head coach Mike McCoy oversaw more of a one-cut running scheme in Denver, but he'll probably adapt to the power personnel he has. He rotated a stable of backs with the Broncos, and it looks like a similar situation in San Diego. The perennially disappointing Ryan Mathews will take the bulk of the early down reps, but he'll be spelled early and often. Danny Woodhead will take most passing downs and get some take-what-they-give-you runs when teams send out extra defensive backs. Ronnie Brown's only real value is as a pass protector, and Le'Ron McClain will be primarily a lead blocker again.
McCoy and new offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt both have a background based more in the vertical passing game, so the Chargers air attack shouldn't change much. Philip Rivers is at his best getting the ball deep up the seam, and Danario Alexander and Malcom Floyd should continue to see a lot of work there. McCoy plans on being more creative with Antonio Gates, who will continue to line up in a number of spots as a flex tight end. They will likely use either Eddie Royal or rookie Keenan Allen in the slot, though Rivers doesn't use slot receivers much. McCoy and Whisenhunt historically like to keep the ball on the ground in the red zone, and Mathews should get goal-line carries.
The Chargers had seven defensive touchdowns last year, but in effort to generate more pressure (two sacks or less in 11 games in 2012), DE Dwight Freeney (107.5 career sacks) was signed. Bigger sack numbers are also expected from third-year pro DE Corey Liuget (7 sacks). But having the NFL's second-easiest schedule, plus adding shutdown CB Derek Cox and rookie LB Manti Te'o to incumbent standouts FS Eric Weddle and ILB Donald Butler makes defensive coordinator John Pagano's 3-4 scheme one to respect.

The New York Giants' dismal start and the San Diego Chargers' current downfall have left both teams on the outside of the playoff race in their respective conferences.

New York's surge has given it a glimmer of hope, though, and it'll look to send reeling San Diego to a fifth defeat in six games Sunday on the road.

The Giants (5-7) began the season with six straight losses, but they've rebounded to win five of six to remain two games back of Dallas and Philadelphia in the NFC East with four to play.

Justin Tuck recorded a career-best four of the team's five sacks in last week's 24-17 win over Washington as New York scored 10 unanswered in the fourth quarter.

"Honestly, the mood has been great," said Tuck, who played every defensive snap with Jason Pierre-Paul sidelined by a shoulder injury. "I think guys have played loose and are having fun out on the football field, which I can't say we did do the first couple of weeks of the season.

"I think this team is very close right now and we just have to play into each other. I think that's our tremendous difference."

While the Giants have regrouped from their slow start, the Chargers (5-7) are floundering down the stretch. They've dropped four of five after a 4-3 start, including last week's 17-10 loss to Cincinnati that followed an emotional 41-38 win over Kansas City on Nov. 24.

San Diego set a season low for points and committed three turnovers.

"At critical times we have made too many mistakes," coach Mike McCoy said. "Go back to every game, you look at certain situations where we haven't executed. We just haven't gotten it done. It's about being more consistent week in and week out and not just at certain times but the whole game."

Though the Chargers are only one game behind Baltimore for the AFC's final wild-card spot, they would have to leap four teams while finishing strong to earn it. They still have to face Denver and Kansas City again, too.

"We've got to go out and win games," McCoy said. "We have to do a better job. The players, coaches and the organization have to do their job better."

Philip Rivers mostly has done his part, completing an NFL-high 70 percent of his passes with 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His passer rating of 104.4 ranks sixth after he finished with marks of 88.7 in 2011 and 88.6 last season.

San Diego's offense ranks fourth at 401.6 yards per game, and it is second converting 46.4 percent of its third downs.

"They're diversified in how they operate," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "All you've got to do is look at that third down number. That's hard to do in this league now and because the nature of their offense, the complicated looks that they see on third down, you have to give them a lot of credit for that."

Rivers was selected fourth overall by New York in the 2004 draft, three spots after the Chargers took Eli Manning with the top pick. The two were traded for each other on draft day after Manning said he didn't want to play in San Diego, and he's gone on to win a pair of Super Bowls with the Giants.

"Philip Rivers has had an outstanding career in San Diego and Eli Manning has had an outstanding career here, so I think you have a win-win situation there," Coughlin said.

Manning didn't start this season very well, though, throwing 15 interceptions with a 64.0 passer rating through the first six games. He has six touchdowns and three picks with an 86.6 rating over the last six after finishing 22 of 28 for 235 yards and a touchdown pass to Brandon Myers last week.

Coughlin has praised Manning for keeping his head up despite the struggles, which have included an offensive line that's allowed him to be sacked 31 times - already the most of his 10-year career.

"He gets back up, shakes it off," Coughlin said. "Nobody wants that, we don't want that, we're not looking for that, believe me, and I mentioned that this morning. He does a great job of handling that."

Rivers got the best of Manning in the last meeting, throwing his third touchdown pass with 21 seconds remaining to give the Chargers a 21-20 road win Nov. 8, 2009.